Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design and create a structure that acts as a greenhouse and measure and record temperatures within the structure over a 24 -hour period, research global warming and answer the given discussion questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geologic cross section of Manhattan, NYC

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students draw an accurate geologic cross section by using a given data table. They relate the features of the cross section to geologic processes. Students then relate the characteristics of the bedrock to the architecture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Predicting the Future

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars examine how scientists predict the effects of global climate change. In this environmental science lesson, students participate in a discussion about using computer generated data to create climate predictions. Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students access prior knowledge of the water cycle by completing a KWL. For this water cycle lesson, students follow the movement of water through the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

North, South, East, and West

For Teachers 3rd
A basic lesson on the teaching of the cardinal directions awaits your class. They are directed to go to different parts of the playground and where they attempt to describe their location in relation to each other by using the cardinal...
Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Life Cycles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Breathe some life into product design. Pupils learn about the stages of product creation, use, and disposal—sometimes called a cradle-to-grave assessment. They see how this cycle relates to the life cycle of organisms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indiana Tornado Project

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students become aware of the number of tornadoes that impact Indiana. They explore basic facts about tornadoes. Students use the GIS for research. They explore that natural phenomena in Indiana. Students become familiar with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physical Environment

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use damp sand, a baking pan, and water to simulate erosion. In this erosion lesson plan, 4th graders participate in a simulation to show what moving water does to land.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the carbon cycle, periodic table, and photosynthesis and respiration. They analyze the periodic table and how it is organized, then complete the "Elementary, Dear Watson" worksheet. Students then examine a carbon...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Program Spin-Offs

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students brainstorm types of accommodations needed for space travel. They create a table of categories for these accommodations and work in groups to research the categories. Each group puts together a five minute presentation to present...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbes and Climate

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine how microbes play a role in the climate system.  In this climate lesson students complete an activity, create a PowerPoint presentation and present it to the class. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Micro- To Macro- Environmental Air Quality Risk Survey

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the importance of air quality. In groups, students explore factors leading to poor air quality and methods of minimizing air pollution. Given a diagram of concentric circles, students survey their personal air quality...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mercury

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study the planet Mercury and develop an understanding of the planet's composition, geology, and other important characteristics. They explore a Web resource on the planet Mercury which is the central focus of this lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air and Water in the Environment

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students demonstrate an awareness of air as a substance that surrounds us and takes up space, and whose movement we feel as wind. They predict and describe how local weather conditions affect living things, including themselves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Their Properties: Day 5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students demonstrate their knowledge of rock formation processes in varied ways by sharing their cooperative research projects with the class. They generate well-framed questions in response to each presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Moon

For Teachers 1st
First graders complete an experiment illustrating why the moon appears to change over time using a flashlight and ball. Students discuss the shape of the moon and identify it as a sphere. Students write a short informational piece after...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clouds

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners recognize the three main types of clouds. In this clouds lesson plan, students create a cloud mobile to understand clouds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasonal Cloud Cover Variations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars, in groups, access data from the NASA website Live Access Server regarding seasonal cloud coverage and the type of clouds that make up the coverage. They graph the data and make correlations between types, seasons and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Summer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Daily and Seasonal Cycles

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify the sun as a source of heat and light. They identify features of houses that help keep use sheltered and comfortable throughout daily and seasonal cycles. Students are told that summer is the best season to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Retrograde Motion

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the motions of the heavenly bodies.  In this space lesson students use models to show a variety of schemes explaining the motions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rainforest

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine how important the rainforest and its resources are for our everyday survival in the future.
Lesson Plan
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Flowers and Plants

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students develop an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of the Planets: How 16th and 17th Century Physicist Helped Us Understand Our Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th century.